Improvement in can-openers



' RICHARD H. ATWLL, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

Lette/rs Patent No. 86,626, dated February 9,1869.

IMPROVEMENT IN CAN-OPENERS.

The Schedule referred to in these Lett-.ta Patent and making put of the nm.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, RICHARD H. ATWELL, of Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can-Openers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying. drawing, which is made a part of this specication. My invention relates to that class of instruments for opening sheet-metal cans, which consists essentially of a knife, mounted on a bar orlever, adapted to be fulcrumed in a hole formed in the centre of the piece which it is desired to remove, and operating, by the rotation of,` said bar around its fulcrum, to cut a circular opening through which-to withdraw the contents of the can. My improvements relate to a superior construction of said instruments, to facilitate their operation and use, as hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawings- Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of different forms of -my improved can-opener, the former illustrating the manner of using it. f

Figure 3 is a perspective View of the under or face side of a portion of the bar or lever of the instrument represented in iig. 1.

Figure 4 is a side View of a knife, or cutter, detached.

A may represent a bar, or lever, formed of iron or other suitable material, and projecting or adapted to be projected at about right angles 'om a handle or stock, B, of the same, or other suitable material, as represented in figs. 1 and 2, being cast or otherwise formed in one piece therewith, las represented in the former gure, or hinged thereto, as in the latter, said handle or stock being, in the latter case, preferably made hollow, and suitably recessed for the reception of said bar and its appurtenances when in its folded position, as represented.

The end of the barA forms or is provided with a hookshaped pin, a, projecting obliquely backward therefrom, and which,-on being inserted in a 4hole made in the top or other convenient part of the can to be opened, forms the fulerum of the instrument in its operation, its oblique position relatively tothe direction of the pressure of the knife preventing its accidental withdrawal, and affording a much more steady bearing.

C represents the knife, which may be of steel, of the form represented in figs. 3 and 4, having a fiat side, c, which is nearest the fulcrnm when in place, and in about the line of the circle it cuts.

Its bevel, being thus all on its outer side, c, opens the cut in that direction, relieving the cutting-edge from lateral pressure and bending, and adapting it thus to cut more easily and cleanly than it could otherwise.

The edges of the opening made in the `can are so turned, by this construction of knife, as to adapt the can to be again used.

The cutting-edge c of the knife is preferably concave, as represented in iig. 4, so as to obviate the neces-.

sily of pressingit down to its work; but I do not limit myself to this form.

One or more perforations a are provided in the'bar A for the reception of the shank c3 of the knife, the adjustment allowed by the plurality of perforations adapting the instrument for different sizes of cans.

A rest or stop, D., preferably cast on the bar, and arranged between the fulcrilm a and knife C, limits the insertion of the knife, and thus prevents its hanging in the tin at its shank.

One end of the handle B forms or is provided with a point or piercer, b, by which to form the perforation for the reception of the fulcrum-pin a.

The operation of the instrument is as follows:

A central perforation having been made in the centre of the part of the can which it is desired to remove,I

by means of the point l1, the hook-shaped pin a is inserted in said opening, and the knife C forced through the metal until `the stop D comes in contact with its surface, care being taken to have the dat side of the knife nearest the fulcrum. A complete rotation around its fulcrum is then imparted to the instrument, severing a circular vpiece of metal, which is removed with the instrument. The contents'maythen be removed through the opening-thus formed, and the can cleansed, and again used when desired. Then it is not desired to refill the cans, it may be preferable not to out a com-f plete circle, but, on describing a suflcient partof it, to form an opening of the requisite area to bend over the metal occupying that space.

Having described my invention, the following is what` I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. I claim the combination of the handle B, piercingpoint b, bar A, oblique hook a, rest D, and bevelledhooked knife C, all constructed and arranged to operate in the manner and for the purposes set forth.

2. I claim the hollow recessed handle B, having the bar or lever A hinged thereto, and adapted to receive said har when in its folded position, substantially as described.

witnesses: n nioHAnD H. ATWELL.

.JOHN Guerin, Jr.,

E. HAMMEL. 

